Behavior controlling bridle



March 1, 1966 s. K.T|M'|RlON 3,237,374

BEHAVIOR CONTROLLING BRIDLE Filed Nov. 4,. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l SIan/ey K. Tim lrion I N VE N TOR March 1, 1966 S. K. 'TIM' IRION BEHAVIOR CONTROLLING BRIDLE Filed Nov. 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a2 a4 82 a4 Stanley K. Tim'lrion 1 N VE N TOR United States Patent 3,237,374 BEHAVIOR CONTROLLING BRIDLE Stanley K. Tim Irion, Rosebud, Mont. Filed Nov. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 408,981 11 Claims. (Cl. 5415) This invention relates to certain new and useful im provements in a bridle, with or without a curb bit, and provided with commonly performing headstall components such as (1) a crownband, (2) a browband, (3) a cheek, head and jaw embracing throatlatch; and which is uniquely implemented and improved by the addition thereto of feasible rider-and-rein actuated restraining and training means which can be reliably depended upon, contingent on the use and skill of the rider, in controlling the behavior, response and obedience of the horse.

The general objective of the present inventive concept is to implement the bridle by incorporating therein means which is functionally designed and structurally adapted to apply and release pressure on nerve areas which are known to enable experienced riders to cause a horse, particularly one being trained, to answer the pressures imposed by a pull on the bridle reins (singly or collectively) and to respond to and obey the wishes of the rider.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention the customarily employed noseband instead of being inelastic, as is normally the case, is elastic and is expressly adapted to support novel nose and mouth encircling pressure applying and releasing means. It is submitted that such prior art adaptations as have been evolved and used to stimulate the nerves across the bridge of the nose are such that the bridge member remains constantly atop and exerts pressure on the nerves with the result that as time goes on such nerves have been known to become permanently deadened.

In keeping with the instant solution of the problem the means bridging the nose nerves does not desensitize the same until pressure is desired and intentionally applied.

As will be evident from the foregoing the means under advisement is such in form and adaptability that, while it is constantly suspended by the yieldable noseband, the pressure applying surfaces are disengaged and in fact normally elevated and come into play only when a pull on the reins is resorted to by the rider.

In addition to the stated means, which, more specifically, comprises a rigid lightweight nose and mouth encircling frame, a chin and jaw abutting and pressure applying and releasing unit or means is utilized and constitutes an embracing support, in fact, a cradle for the chin and both jaws. This means is characterized by a cushioned stirrup-like cradle and is bracketed rigidly at an angle on the lower portion of the aforementioned nose and mouth encircling frame. Accordingly and inasmuch as the frame is suspended and is rockable and tiltable it will be understood that the noseband permits a levering action which simultaneously pulls the frame down, applies pressure on the nerves in the bridge of the nose and also simultaneously exerts a lifting embracing action on the chin and jaw abutting cradle with the result that a squeezing and restraining action is reliably attained.

In addition to the above featured improvements (nose bridging, chin and jaw abutting components) which act on the infraorbital nerves and gingiva (gums) and teeth, supplemental means is provided for partial control which stimulates the second auricular nerves, that is, the nerves located behind the respective right and left cars. A unique aspect of this feature of the invention resides in the fact that a nylon rope or equivalent means is used to provide the desired reins. Intermediate side portions of the reins are linked by eyes to the lower part and median part of the aforementioned frame. The forward end portion is fashioned into a sling whose bight portion rides across the crown of the horses head, said bight portion being provided with spaced apart knots and said knots being sufficiently hard that they press down on the aforementioned auricular nerves. The rear portion of the reins is available as usual to the rider to exert individual right and left pulling or uniform pulling as conforms with the discretion of the rider.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in side elevation showing the head and neck of a horse and showing, more importantly, the bridle embodying the improvements herein under advisement, the nose-bridging means being here shown elevated and out of contact (as it is normally) with the aforementioned infraorbital nerves;

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation and of a fragmentary nature based on FIGURE 1 and wherein certain parts have been omitted and wherein, more particularly, the left and right reins are shown being pulled rearwardly and upwardly to simultaneously apply the bracing and controlling action of the overall improvements;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1 observing the same in a direction from left to right;

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective showing the overall device removed and the construction of the distinguishable component parts thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a view in section on an enlarged scale taken on the plane of the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a similar detail fragmentary sectional and elevational view taken on the plane of the line 66 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the improved bridle by reference numerals it will be seen that the headstall embodies a crown-band or strap, which is of elastic construction, is denoted by the numeral 8 and has its lower ends connected to assembling links 10. These same links serve to connect the looped end portions 12 of the browband or strap 14 thereto. With reference to FIGURE 4 it will be noted that these terminal end portions 12 have an additional guide function which will be later described. Also while considering FIG. 4 and FIGS 1 and 2 in particular it will be seen that the links 10 also are provided with riveted (or otherwise secured) guide loops 16 which serve to accommodate the side runs 18 of a noose-type throatlatch 20. The throatlatch is fashioned from a length of nylon rope or cord and the upper bight portion 22 loops over the crown of the head and the lower end is tied into a suitable holddown knot 24 which is anchored in a manner to be later described.

The components so far described are more or less usual in construction and arrangement and serve customary purposes.

One improvement resides in the means 26 which broadly takes the form of a nose and mouth encircling pressure applying and releasing member. More particularly it comprises an elongated tubular hollow aluminum or equivalent lightweight rigid frame. It will be noted in FIGURE 4 that this frame is substantially ovate in configuration (sometimes referred to in the trade as teardropshaped). The upper arched (or rounded) broadened end portion 28 bridges the nose and in practice is to be assembled so that when it is drawn down and forced with pressure against the bridge of the nose it will contact the aforementioned infra orbital nerves, that is, the nerves across the bridge of the nose only, of course, when the reins, denoted generally at 30 are tightened. The shape,

size and length of the frame is such that the lower end portions depend well below the horses mouth.

Reverting to the frame it will be noted that the vertical side members 32 have their lower end portions 34 converging and joined together. This is brought out in FIG. 4 wherein it will also be noted that a link 36 is superimposed upon and extends beyond the connected ends 34 and terminates in eyes 38. These eyes cooperate with the com-plemental eyes 52 which, are connected to the rearward median portions of the frames side members 32 (FIG. 1). In addition, the intermediate portions of these side members are provided with integral rearwardly projecting clevises 40 to which end portions 42 of an elastic noseband 44 are connected. It will be evident that the elasticity of the nose-band acting on the side members 32 by way of the clevises 4% serves to normally elevate the median or arched portion 28 of the frame above the bridge of the horses nose as shown in FIG. 1. It will be further noted that when a downward pull is exerted by pressure of the reins 30 on the frame, the latter is pulled down against the tension of the noseband and consequently the bight portion 28 is then brought to bear directly on the bridge of the nose as illustrated in FIG. 2. Reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will therefore show the cooperative association and coaction between the elastic noseband 44 and the unique pressure exerting frame 26. It will be further noted that the lower end portion 34 of this frame is provided with a collateral integral eye 46 with which the knotted end portion 24 of the aforementioned throatlatch 20 is connected, this being shown to advantage in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

Taking up now the reins 30 it will be observed that the rider gripping portions 48 are draped over the neck of the horse and are in a position to be caught hold of in the usual driving manner. The portions 50 of the reins are passed slidingly through the eyes 38 then upwardly and slidingly through the additional eyes 52 thereabove. The significant cheek portion 54 has its side portions 56 arranged alongside the cheeks of the horses head and then passed slidingly through the aforementioned guides 12. The bight portion 58 is arched over the head of the horse just behind the ears where hard knots 60 are provided, said knots being positioned when in use directly behind the horses ears in a manner to act upon and vigorously stimulate significant second auricular nerves such as are known to be centered behind the horses ears.

It will be further noted that the lower converging end portions of the side members of the frame 26 are provided with left and right coplanar outstanding cleats which are rigidly fastened in place and constitute winglike extensions 62. These extensions are provided with bolt holes 64 to accommodate the bolts 66 which serve to connect a pair of triangular brackets 68 in place. These brackets are connected by a linking strap or bar 70. This bar in turn is provided with a pair of rigid outwardly diverging perch-like brackets 72 having stop pins 74. These perches in turn serve to accommodate a pair of outstanding divergent arms 76 which, more specifically, have laterally directed lower ends which are hingedly mounted at 78 between the lugs of the respective perches. The outer end portions of these arms serve to accommodate an intervening suitably padded cradle 80. The end portions of the pad have anchor clips 82 embedded therein and carrying bolts 84 with which the upper ends of the aforementioned adapter arms 76 are connected. It follows that this cradle by way of the arms 76 is attached to the lower end portion of the liftable and lowerable and tiltable frame unit 26. Consequently, this chin and lower jaw embracing means, being rigid with the frame, constitutes a component part thereof and operates in conjunction with the frame as it is raised and lowered and is tilted.

It is reiterated that this novel bridle may be provided with or without a bit (bit not shown). The frame 26 and accompanying rigidly attached cradle constitute a unit which operates on a lever principle with the noseband 44 serving as the support means and the clevises 40 and terminal ends 42 providing the yielding and also fulcruming means whereby to thus provide an arrangement which, as the reins are controlled, nerves are desensitized, causing the horse to respond accordingly. It is of course up to the rider to pull the right or left rein or both depending on what he desires the horse to do. With this construction he has means whereby he is provided with perfect control over the horse.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in conjunction with a bridle, with or with out a bit, embodying a crownband, a browband, and an over-the-head noose-like throatlatch cooperatively re lated and linked together in a customarily associated manner; improved means for training and restraining a horse to respond to and obey the rider-controlled bridle and pull responsive bridle responsive reins comprising: an elastic noseband adapted to be saddled across the bridge of the horses nose, a nose and mouth encircling pressure applying and releasing member, said member being rigid but light in weight and having an upper end portion curvate in form and adapted to arch conformingly over and embrace the bridge of the horses nose, said member being tiltingly connected to and suspended from the ends of said noseband with said curvate portion yieldingly lifted, spaced above and free of pressure contact with the infraorbital nerves, and rider held and con trollable reins operatively connected with and for tilting and shifting said member from its normal elevated position to a position wherein said curvate end is caused to press firmly and controllably upon said infraorbital nerves, whereby to cause the horse to obey and respond and behave accordingly.

2. The structure according to claim 1, and in combination, a chin and jaw brace adapted to abut and cradle the horses jaw, and means operatively connecting said brace to a coacting lower portion of said nose and mouth encircling member.

3.- The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said member comprises a vertically elongated frame.

4. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said member comprises a vertically elongated frame, and said brace comprises a stirrup-like cushion fashioned into a chin seating cradle and suspended between a pair of outwardly upwardly supported arms carried by said frame.

5. The structure defined in claim 4, and wherein said arms are hingedly mounted on perches provided therefor, and means bracketing said perches on a lower portion of said frame.

6. For use in conjunction with a bridle, with or without a bit, embodying a crownband, a browband, and an overthe-head noose-like throatlatch cooperatively related and linked together in a customarily associated manner; improved means for training and restraining a horse to respond to and obey the rider-controlled bridle and pull responsive bridle responsive reins comprising: an elastic noseband adapted to be saddled across the bridge of the horses nose, a nose and mouth encircling pressure applying and releasing member, said member being rigid but light in weight and having an upper end portion curvate in form and adapted to arch conformingly over and embrace the bridge of the horses nose, said member being tiltingly connected to and suspended from the ends of said noseband with said curvate portion yieldingly lifted, spaced above and free of pressure contact with the infraorbital nerves, and rider held and controllable reins operatively connected with and for tilting and shifting said member from its normal elevated position to a position wherein said curvate end is caused to press firmly and controllably upon said infraorbital nerves, whereby to cause the horse to obey and respond and behave accordingly, chin and jaw abutting and pressure applying and releasing means adapted to embracingly support and cradle the chin and both jaws, said member being provided with guide eyes, and portions of the reins being threaded and slidable freely through said eyes, corresponding upper ends of said reins being joined by a bight portion and defining a sling, the bight portion thereof adapted to reside atop the horses head between the left and right ears and having spaced apart hard-tied knots which when in use serve to act upon and vigorously stimulate significant second auricular nerves centered behind the horses respective ears.

'7. In combination, a bridle embodying a headstall, the latter, comprising a crownstrap, a browstrap, links adjoining the respective coacting ends of said crownstrap and browstrap, said browstrap having sling guides at its ends, said links having throatlatch guides, a nylon rope fashioned into a noose-like throatlatch having an upper end adapted to be arched over the crown of the horses head and side cheek portions threaded downwardly through said sling guides, an elastic noseband adapted to be saddled across the bridge of the horses nose, a nose and mouth encircling pressure applying and releasing member, said member being rigid but light in weight and having an upper end portion curvate in form and adapted to arch conformingly over and embrace the bridge of the horses nose, said member being tiltingly connected to and suspended from the ends of said noseband with said curvate portion yieldingly lifted, spaced above, and free of pressure contact with the infraorbital nerves, and riderheld and controllable reins operatively connected with and for tilting and shifting said member from its normal elevated position to a position wherein said curvate end is caused to press firmly and controllably upon said infraorbital nerves, whereby to cause the horse to obey, respond and behave accordingly, a chin and jaw brace adapted to abut and cradle the horses jaw, and means operatively connecting said brace to a coacting lower portion of said nose and mouth encircling member' 8. A rider actuated and regulated behavior restraining and training device comprising: a rigid light in weight nose and mouth encircling frame generally ovate in configuration, the upper broad rounded end being adapted to bridge and rest and conformingly press atop the infraorbital nerves, when in use, the narrower lower end portion of said frame having spaced eyes for sliding passage of portions of rider controlled reins, median portions of the longitudinal side members of said frame having additional eyes for passage of predetermined portions of said reins, an elastic noseband adapted to be saddled over the bridge of the nose and having its ends connected to said median portions and suspending and fulcruming said frame, and chin and jaw abutting and pressure applying and releasing means rigidly bracketed to the lower end portion of said frame.

9. The device defined in claim 8, and in combination, reins having a forward end fashioned into a sling-like member whose bight portion is provided with spaced auricular nerve stimulating knots, having median pull exerting and frame levering portions threaded sildingly through the respectively cooperating eyes, the rearward hand-held and manipulable end being adapted to embrace the neck of the horse in the usual manner.

10. Rider and rein actuated restraining and training means suitable for incorporation in a bridle and adapted to control behavior patterns and achieve response and obedience comprising: a nose and mouth encircling frame having an upper arcuate nose bridging end, coplanar longitudinal side members converging and joined at their lower ends, a plurality of oriented and coordinating rein threading eyes carried by predetermined portions of said frame, an elastic nose band having end portions connected to coacting median portions of said side members, and a chin and jaw abutting and seating cradle rigidly but adjustably mounted on the lower end portion of said frame and movable simultaneously therewith.

11. The device defined in claim 10, and in combination, reins having a forward end fashioned into a slinglike member whose bight portion is provided with spaced auricular nerve stimulating knots, having median pull exerting and frame levering portions threaded slidingly through the respectively cooperating eyes, the rearward hand-held and manipulable end being adapted to embrace the neck of the horse in the usual manner.

References (Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 200,781 2/1878 Wilder 5415 468,299 2/ 1892 Atkinson 5415 1,333,474 3/1920 De France 54-l5 2,471,121 5/1949 Reed 54-6 2,572,517 10/1951 Ratliff 54-6 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Examiner. 

10. RIDER AND REIN ACTUATED RESTRAINING AND TRAINING MEANS SUITABLE FOR INCORPORATION IN A BRIDLE AND ADAPTED TO CONTROL BEHAVIOR PATTERNS AND ACHIEVE RESPONSE AND OBEDIENCE COMPRISING: A NOSE AND MOUTH ENCIRCLING FRAME HAVING AN UPPER ARCUATE NOSE BRIDGING END, COPLANAR LONGITUDINAL SIDE MEMBERS CONVERGING AND JOINED AT THEIR LOWER ENDS, A PLURALITY OF ORIENTED AND COORDINATING REIN THREADING EYES CARRIED BY PREDETERMINED PORTIONS OF SAID 